Connecticut Innovations Talent Fair

2026 Talent Fair

Connecticut Innovations (CI) is hosting our second annual CI Talent Fair on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at District New Haven, to connect more than 30 CI portfolio companies with emerging talent from Connecticut colleges and universities.

Students who attend the CI Talent Fair will gain exclusive access to apply for internships and full-time positions with Connecticut’s most innovative companies. This unique experience includes direct networking with industry leaders, on-site interview opportunities, and a dedicated application portal available only to fair attendees.

INDUSTRY BREAKDOWN

Morning Session: Biotech, Life Sciences and Healthcare

This networking session (9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) is specifically geared toward students who are interested in or studying fields related to healthcare, biology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or life sciences.

Afternoon Session: Climate, Consumer and Technology

This networking session (12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) will feature companies spanning climate, consumer and tech, recruiting students from all majors and disciplines interested in research, marketing, business and more.

Looking Back

CI hosted its inaugural talent fair last winter to connect students from local colleges and universities with disruptive startups from our portfolio seeking top talent. We polled our companies to see their open positions and then worked directly with university career centers to target and attract students who could be a potential fit for those roles.

In addition to company networking and matchmaking opportunities, attendees were encouraged to participate in career development workshops, get a professional headshot, and hear from a diverse panel of entrepreneurs growing their companies in Connecticut.

Talent Fair Experiences

Content Sessions and Keynotes

Our distinguished keynote speaker (to be announced) and content sessions will offer inspiring insights on career growth, storytelling, personal branding, and navigating today’s evolving job landscape while remaining authentic.

Industry-Focused Networking

Attend an industry-focused networking session that best aligns with your skillset and interest area. The morning session will feature bio-focused companies actively hiring, while the afternoon will showcase CI companies across climate, consumer and tech.

Professional Headshots

Get an updated, complimentary, professional headshot taken by CI's award-winning photographer to enhance your LinkedIn profile and other corporate collateral.

Key Connections

Beyond networking with top employers, attendees can connect with peers from other colleges and universities, meet ecosystem leaders from key state organizations, and get to know members of CI's venture team.

Agenda

9:00 a.m. Networking Session (Biotech, Lifesciences and Healthcare)

The morning session will feature biotech, life sciences and healthcare companies actively hiring in respective fields.

To ensure a seamless check-in process, please make sure you are registered here.

9:45 a.m. Guest Speaker: Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch

10:30 a.m. Guest Speaker: Building a Personal Brand

12:00 p.m. Guest Speaker: TBD

1:00 p.m. Networking Session (Climate, Consumer and Tech)

The afternoon session will feature climate, consumer and tech companies actively hiring diverse roles and industry positions.

To ensure a seamless check-in process, please make sure you are registered here.

1:45 p.m. Guest Speaker: TBD

2:30 p.m. Panel Discussion: CI's Portfolio Companies

Moderated by Connecticut Innovations CEO Lauren Carmody.

3:15 p.m. Final Networking

Morning Session

Meet bioscience and healthcare startups hiring students in related fields, and discover exciting career opportunities across Connecticut's lifesciences ecosystem.

Arvinas Holding Co. LLC

BioHaven

Cellsbin

Enko

FlyteHealth

Halda Therapeutics

InBox Health Corp.

NourishedRx

Normunity

Perosphere Technologies Inc.

PursureCare

Urgent Consult dba Referwell

Revalia Bio, Inc.

Veradermics

Afternoon Session

Connect with climate, consumer, and tech startups hiring across a range of disciplines, and explore the cutting-edge innovations shaping Connecticut’s future.